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Jordan Brand Explores the Link Between British Basketball and Its American Heroes
Jordan Brand has released a new documentary, telling the dual stories of Zion Williamson and the current state of basketball in Britain. Titled The Next Dance, the documentary has a particular focus on how British players are influenced by stars across the Atlantic, with Williamson’s rise to the top of the sport a particular inspiration for a generation of players. Launching the project, director Laurence McKenna explained, “We wanted to create something that beautifully captured the current state of British basketball and the potential it has, couple that with Zion’s unique personality and story. Throughout we discovered the parallels between the two and how basketball, as a whole, can seek to inspire and motivate all across the world, no matter where you come from.” On one side, The Next...
Former Barcelona duo among four players who could be let go by Inter Milan to reduce wage bill
Inter Milan are ready to let go of four players this summer to reduce their wage bill by 20%, according to Italian publication TuttoSport (via Siempre Inter). The Nerazzurri come into the new season off the back of their most successful campaign in over a decade. They won their first piece of silverware since 2011 and their first league title since 2010, finishing 12 points ahead of bitter rivals AC Milan in second place. However, while they were performing brilliantly on the pitch, things weren’t so bright off it. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll on their finances, with reports back in January suggesting that they may have to sell some of their best players to balance the books. This bad news has been compounded by the departure of manager Antonio Conte, who resigned at the en...
Aston Villa could have a scary attack as report claims Dean Smith wants to sign 17-goal ace
Aston Villa want to sign Bournemouth winger Arnaut Danjuma this summer, according to a report from The Sun (print edition, July 20, page 51). The Villans seem to be one of the most ambitious clubs in the Premier League this summer. Dean Smith has already brought Emiliano Buendia and Ashley Young to Villa Park. Villa have also been linked with big-money moves for Tammy Abraham (Birmingham Mail) and Emile Smith-Rowe (Birmingham Mail). It seems as though the west Midlands outfit are far from finished with their business this summer. Aston Villa are eyeing a move to sign Danjuma this summer Aston Villa chasing Danjuma The Sun claims that the Bournemouth winger is a transfer target for Smith this summer. The Cherries reportedly want around £35 million for the 24-year-old. The Holland ...
‘Wow’, ‘Absolute steal’: Some Leicester City fans react to exciting transfer update
A section of Leicester City fans have reacted positively to the anticipated arrival of defender Ozan Kabak from Schalke. The Turkey international spent the second half of last season on loan with Liverpool, and he made a good impression. He had a horrendous debut against the Foxes but sorted himself and played his part in the club’s strong finish to the campaign. Despite this, the Reds decided against triggering a buy option worth £18 million and ended up signing RB Leipzig’s Ibrahima Konate. The Foxes are now on the cusp of landing the 21-year-old for just £8m, and the news has been received positively by some fans. Twitter reactions: Ozan #Kabak, an absolute steal for £8m Another quality centre back who will only improve under Kolo #Toure & #Brendan.Hope there are no hitche...
‘Go all out for JWP’ – Some Villa fans react after being linked with ‘outstanding player’
Aston Villa fans have taken to Twitter to express their reaction to reports linking the club with a move for Will Hughes. According to reports from The Express, Villa are keen to sign the Watford midfielder this summer. Dean Smith is looking to bolster his midfield options, with Villa registering an interest in signing James Ward-Prowse early this summer. With Southampton refusing to wilt under pressure, it seems Villa have turned their attention towards signing the former Derby County midfielder. Hughes joined the Hornets from Derby County back in 2017 for around £8 million and played a key role last season as the club secured promotion. Many Villa fans appreciate that Hughes is a good player, but they feel he is not the one who can take the club to the next level. Smith has stressed...
£120,000-a-week Chelsea star makes transfer decision amid Bayern Munich swap rumours – report
Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi has no plans of leaving the club amid the recent speculation linking him with Bayern Munich, The Sun reports. The 20-year-old has struggled to nail down a regular starting role, and he was a regular on the bench for most of the previous campaign. It was recently reported that the Blues could be willing to include Hudson-Odoi as a makeweight to sign Bayern’s Kingsley Coman. Bayern are long-term admirers of the Blues graduate, but it appears that the forward has no plans of leaving the European champions this summer. He has three years left on his current £120,000-a-week deal and is prepared to fight for his place under Thomas Tuchel than move elsewhere. Sportslens view: Hudson-Odoi was regarded as one of the best players coming through the youth ranks ...
‘Paratici always loved him’: Top journalist drops claim on Tottenham’s £97k-a-wk ace pursuit
Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Inter Milan ace Milan Skriniar when speaking on Matt Hayes’ YouTube channel. Calciomercato recently claimed that the Inter centre-back is a key target for Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo this summer. Tottenham’s director of football Fabio Paratici is also particularly keen on the 26-year-old. The 43-capped Slovakia international is one of the best centre-backs in world football. And it seems as though Spurs are very keen to bring him to the Premier League. Tottenham are allegedly desperate to sign Milan Skriniar Milan Skriniar update provided by Fabrizio Romano The highly respected football journalist suggested that Paratici is desperate to bring the Inter ace to Tottenham. However, he did claim that it will ...
Barcelona eyeing up sensational swap deal for Juventus forward
Barcelona are lining up a deal for Juventus forward Paulo Dybala with Antoine Griezmann heading in the opposite direction, reports the Daily Mail. Griezmann’s time at Camp Nou has not gone as planned. He joined in 2019 from Atletico Madrid for a nine-figure fee, with the intention of winning the biggest trophies. This hasn’t panned out, and he has only a Copa del Rey to his name since joining La Blaugrana. Meanwhile, his former club lifted the La Liga title last season. In addition, his performances have not lived up to the price tag. In 99 appearances for the Catalan giants, he has scored 35 goals in all competitions – an admirable return, but way off the 135 in 257 he got for Atletico Madrid. Barcelona are in a financial crisis right now and need to reduce their wage bill to meet La Liga...
Ronald Koeman set to introduce 19-year-old into the first team
Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman is set to give youngster Nico Gonzalez his debut with the first team in a friendly against Segunda Division side Gimnastic de Tarragona, reports Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo. Despite Barcelona’s recent drop off, La Masia is still producing several talents that have made it into the first team. Ansu Fati was given his first team debut back in 2019 by Ernesto Valverde, and the likes of Riqui Puig, Oscar Mingueza, and Ilaix Moriba made an impact under Quique Setien and Koeman. Fati has shown incredible potential over the last couple of years However, Moriba appears to be falling out of favour with the Dutchman, despite impressing in the latter stages of last season. The teenager has just under a year left on his contract, and negotiations over a new deal are ...
Devin Booker Shuts Down Comparisons to Kobe Bryant
With the NBA finals closing in on Game 6, comparisons between Devin Booker and the legendary Kobe Bryant have been a topic of discussion lately, but the Phoenix Sun’s shooting guard shared a blunt response to the matter. In a recent interview with Richard Jefferson, Booker was asked how he feels being compared to Bryant. The 24-year-old made it known that there shouldn’t be any comparisons made to his Hall of Famer mentor. “I haven’t really thought about it much,” Booker stated. “I know it’s something that everybody is gonna ask right now, and I didn’t make that comparison myself. I just leave it at what he’s done for me as a mentor and the advice that he’s left me with, so I try to take bits and pieces of his mentality and approach, but I should never be compared to Kobe Bryant.” A lot ca...
Lewis Hamilton Faces Criticism for Dangerous Collision at British Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton, Formula One world champion got into an early, dangerous high-speed collision with Max Verstappen on the opening lap of the British Grand Prix this weekend. The collision resulted in Hamilton receiving a ten-second time penalty which dropped him down to fourth place after the pit stop. However, he was still able to overtake Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in the final two laps to secure his eighth British GP win, defending his title. At the onset of the race, the Mercedes driver made several attempts to pass Verstappen on the first lap. When the drivers reached Silverstone’s Copse Corner, Hamilton’s front left-wheel grazed the Red Bull driver’s back-right tire, causing Verstappen to spin off the track and crashing into the barriers. Though the car was completely wrecked, Verstappe...
Fulham target agrees personal terms with Belgian giants, could join them soon – report
Chelsea striker Ike Ugbo has agreed personal terms with Genk ahead of a potential transfer, reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano claims. Ugbo has not made a competitive appearance for the Blues in his career, and he has spent time away on loan with five different clubs. The 22-year-old had a promising stint with Cercle Brugge in the Belgian top-flight last term, registering 17 goals across all competitions. He helped them avoid relegation, but decided against the opportunity to join them permanently in the pursuit of a bigger challenge. Fulham have been regularly linked with Ugbo in recent months with reports suggesting that he could be available for €3-5 million. However, the striker appears determined to return to Belgium with Genk, and has already agreed personal terms with t...
